Biopsy probe having a tissue specimen collector

ABSTRACT

A tissue specimen collector includes a collector housing defining an interior, and has a proximal opening and a distal port opposite the proximal opening. The distal port is configured to receive a proximal end of a tubular elongated member of a biopsy probe such that the proximal end can extend into the interior. A tray is releasably attached to the collector housing at the proximal opening. The tray includes a grated portion configured to extend through the proximal opening of the collector housing toward the distal port and into the interior to separate the collector housing to define a tissue chamber and a vacuum chamber, such that a tissue discharge port of the tubular elongated member is able to be positioned in the tissue chamber above the grated portion. The grated portion has a plurality of holes to facilitate fluid communication between the tissue chamber and the vacuum chamber.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/290,961, filed Nov. 5, 2008, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/498,504, filed Aug. 3, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No.7,572,236, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/197,827 filed Aug. 5, 2005, now abandoned, all of which areincorporated herein in their entirety by reference and from whichpriority is claimed. This application is also related to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/980,298, filed Oct. 30, 2007, which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to tissue removing devices suchas biopsy devices and the methods of using such devices. Morespecifically, it is directed to an improved biopsy or other tissueremoving device and method of using the device which includes flushingone or more specimens with suitable fluid within a tissue collector toremove blood, debris and the like from the specimen(s).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In diagnosing and treating certain medical conditions, such aspotentially cancerous tumors, it is usually desirable to perform abiopsy, in which a specimen of the suspicious tissue is removed forpathological examination and analysis. In many instances, the suspicioustissue is located in a subcutaneous site, such as inside a human breast.To minimize surgical intrusion into the patient's body, it is desirableto be able to insert a small instrument into the patient's body toaccess the targeted site and to extract the biopsy specimen therefrom.

A variety of tissue collecting components have been proposed for biopsydevices but they have not always been easy for the physician or otheroperating room personnel to separate or remove the specimen from thedevice. Needle like tip designs have been developed to aid in theaccessing of intracorporeal sites for biopsy and other procedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a system and method for collecting one ormore severed tissue specimens from a target site which includes theapplication of a fluid such as saline to one or more collected tissuespecimens. The fluid may be applied to the one or more tissue specimensto flush blood and other debris from the one or more collected tissuespecimens and/or to apply one or more agents to the collected tissuespecimens. The tissue specimens are preferably collected within a tissuecollector associated with a biopsy system. The fluid is preferablyapplied to at least one tissue specimen after it has been collectedwithin the tissue collector but fluid may be applied as the tissue isdelivered into the tissue collector. A vacuum may be generated withinthe tissue collector to remove the fluid from the specimens. The tissuecollector component is preferably part of the biopsy system and easilyremovable therefrom so that the specimens may be removed withoutinterfering with the position of the biopsy device.

A biopsy system having the tissue collection and fluid applying featuresof the invention generally include an elongated, preferably disposableprobe component having an elongated tubular shaft, an elongated cuttingmember within the inner lumen of the elongated tubular shaft, a proximalhousing that is secured to the proximal portion of the elongated tubularshaft and a tissue collector secured to the proximal housing in fluidcommunication with the inner lumen of the cutting member. The tissuecutter has a distal cutting edge to separate a tissue specimen fromsupporting tissue at an intracorporeal target site, an inner lumen towithdraw one or more tissue specimens and a proximal end with adischarge port which is configured to discharge specimens into theinterior of the tissue collector.

A fluid delivery conduit extends from a source of fluid and opens to theinterior of the tissue collector to deliver fluid to one or morespecimens in the interior of the tissue collector. Preferably the fluiddelivery conduit has a valve to control the fluid flow therethrough soas to sequence the flow of fluid to the interior of the tissue collectorafter the delivery of a tissue specimen. The fluid is preferably sprayedonto the specimens, for example by one or more spray heads or nozzlesthat may be provided. A controller may be provided to control theoperation of the valve in the fluid delivery conduit to control fluidflow thereto.

A vacuum conduit may extend from a lower portion of the tissue collectorto generate a vacuum within the interior of the tissue collector to aidin the aspiration of fluid and debris from the specimens. The vacuumwithin the tissue collector interior may also be employed to facilitateaspiration of one or more tissue specimens through the inner lumen ofthe tubular cutter. The vacuum conduit preferably leads to a wastecontainer which captures the waste (fluid and debris) from the interiorof the tissue collector. Preferably, a second vacuum conduit leads fromthe waste container to a vacuum source such as a vacuum pump whichmaintains a vacuum within the waste container. A controller may beutilized to control the operation of the vacuum pump to control thelevel of vacuum in the waste container and the interior of the tissuecollector. The controller controlling the vacuum pump may be the samecontroller controlling the fluid control valve referred to above.

A suitable biopsy device which may be utilized with specimen flushingfeatures of the invention is described in application Ser. No.11/014,413, filed on Dec. 16, 2004. The housing on the proximal end ofthe probe has driving elements for the tissue cutter and other operativeelements such as described in the aforesaid application which isincorporated herein by reference.

The elongated probe component preferably has a distal shaft portion witha tissue penetrating distal tip, a tubular section proximal to thedistal tip, an inner lumen extending within the tubular section and anopen, tissue receiving aperture in the tubular section proximal to thedistal tip which provides access to tissue at the targeted site. Theprobe component includes an elongated tissue-cutting member, which ispreferably at least in part cylindrically shaped and slidably disposedwithin the inner lumen of the tubular section. The tissue cutting memberis provided with at least one tissue cutting edge on its distal portionwhich is configured to sever tissue extending into the interior of thetubular section through the aperture thereof. The cutting edge on thetissue cutting member may be configured for longitudinal cuttingmovement and may include oscillating rotational motion and/orreciprocating longitudinal motion to sever specimen tissue extendingthrough the aperture from supporting tissue at the targeted site. Thecutting edges are radially spaced from a longitudinal axis of the probecomponent and are preferably transversely oriented with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the probe component. The tissue cutter ispreferably slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the tubularsection, although it may be disposed about the tubular section. Theprobe component may also have a handle which releasably engages a drivercomponent as described in the above referenced application.

The tissue cutting member has an inner lumen preferably extending to adischarge port in the proximal end thereof for tissue specimen removal.While mechanical withdrawal of the tissue specimen may be employed, itis preferred to provide a vacuum within the cutting member from theproximal end of the cutting member (via the tissue collector interior)to aspirate the severed tissue specimen through the inner lumen of thecutting member to a tissue collection station. A higher fluid pressuremay be maintained in the inner lumen of the cutting member distal to thetissue specimen to aid in transporting the specimen proximally throughthe inner lumen. In this manner, the mechanical withdrawal and/or thevacuum on the proximal end of the specimen and a higher pressure on thedistal end of the specimen can move the specimen through the inner lumenof the cutting member to the tissue collector station.

In at least one embodiment described in the above mentioned application,the handle of the probe component is secured, preferably releasablysecured, to the driver provided to interconnect the various operativeelements of the probe with operative elements of the driver component.The tissue cutting member is operatively connected to at least onedriver to provide the desired cutting motion. The proximal end of thetubular section of the probe component is fixed within the handlehousing so that the orientation thereof with respect to the longitudinalaxis and therefore the orientation of the tissue receiving aperturewithin the tubular section, can be selected by rotation of the handlehousing with respect to the driver component. The orientation of theaperture may be selected manually such as described in copendingapplication Ser. No. 10/642,406, filed Feb. Aug. 15, 2003 or it may bepreset or selected electronically by a control module which alsocontrols the operation of the cutting member and electrical power suchas described in copending application Ser. No. 11/014,413, filed Dec.16, 2004. The aperture orientation setting may be selected before orafter the tubular section of the probe component is inserted into thepatient.

A method of collecting one or more severed tissue specimens with atissue collection device embodying features of the invention includesadvancing a biopsy or other tissue removal system having such a tissuecollecting device at least partially into tissue at a desired sitewithin the patient's body with the tissue penetrating distal tip of theouter cannula disposed distal to the tissue specimen to be separatedfrom the target site. A vacuum is established within the inner lumen ofthe tubular section to draw tissue through the aperture therein into theinner lumen of the tubular section. The cutting member, which isslidably disposed within the inner lumen of the tubular section, maythen be moved, e.g. longitudinally, to cut a tissue specimen fromsupporting tissue at the target site by such cutter motion. The cuttermotion preferably includes oscillating rotational movement and/orreciprocating longitudinal movement. The vacuum established within theinner lumen of the tubular section may be applied through the innerlumen of the tissue cutting member when the tissue cutting member isdisposed within the tubular section. The applied vacuum within the innerlumen of the tissue cutting member from the vacuum of the tissuecollector interior, may also be utilized to pull or aspirate theseparated tissue sample proximally. In addition, or alternatively, ahigher fluid pressure may be maintained in a distal part of the innerlumen of the tubular section, distal to the specimen, to push the tissuespecimen proximally, Alternatively, the tissue specimen may bemechanically withdrawn. Fluid pressure may include pressure from aliquid delivered into the interior of the device, such as aphysiological saline solution, and may include a gas, such aspressurized carbon dioxide, nitrogen or air, delivered into the interiorof the device. Access to ambient air can also maintain a sufficientlyhigh pressure differential to move the specimen through the inner lumenof the cutting member. Anesthetic may be injected to the target sitethrough the outer cannula or the inner lumen of the cutting member.

The one or more tissue specimens are discharged into the interior of thetissue collector and preferably onto a tray provided therefore in theinterior. The tray preferably has one or more openings which allow fordrainage from the specimens on the tray. Irrigation (or other) fluid isapplied to one or more specimens to remove blood or other debris. Theperiphery of the tissue collection tray is sealed within the interior ofthe tissue collector so that vacuum generated beneath the tray willaspirate fluid and debris from specimens on the tray to a vacuum conduitopening beneath the collector tray. The application of the irrigationfluid is preferably controlled to sequence after one or more tissuespecimens are discharged onto the tissue collector tray from thedischarge port in the proximal end of the tissue cutter. The fluid maycontain or be a treating agent suitable for the subsequent evaluation ofthe specimens.

Upon removal from the patient, the tissue specimen may then be subjectedto pathological examination. After acquisition of a tissue specimen orspecimens, the tissue separation system may be repositioned for furthertissue separation and collection or it may be withdrawn from thepatient.

The invention, in one form thereof, is directed to a tissue specimencollector for engagement with a proximal housing of a biopsy probe alonga longitudinal extent of a tubular elongated member of the biopsy probeconfigured to transport a tissue sample. The tissue specimen collectorincludes a collector housing defining an interior, and having a proximalopening and a distal port opposite the proximal opening. The distal portof the collector housing is configured to receive a proximal end of thetubular elongated member of the biopsy probe such that the proximal endof the tubular elongated member can extend into the interior of thecollector housing. A releasable tray is releasably attached to thecollector housing at the proximal opening. The releasable tray includesa first end portion and a grated portion that extends from the first endportion. The grated portion is configured to extend through the proximalopening of the collector housing in a direction toward the distal portand into the interior to separate the collector housing to define atissue chamber and a vacuum chamber, such that a tissue discharge portof the tubular elongated member is able to be positioned in the tissuechamber above the grated portion. The grated portion has a plurality ofholes to facilitate fluid communication between the tissue chamber andthe vacuum chamber.

The invention, in another form thereof, is directed to an elongatedprobe component for use in a system for collecting one or more tissuespecimens from a target site within a patient, the system including awashing fluid source and a vacuum source. The elongated probe componentincludes an elongated shaft having a distal shaft portion with a distaltip, a tubular section proximal to the distal tip, an inner lumenextending within the tubular section and a tissue receiving aperture inthe tubular section which provides access to tissue at the target site.A tubular elongated member is disposed within the tubular section. Thetubular elongated member has a distal end and a proximal end. The distalend has at least one tissue cutting edge and the proximal end defines atissue discharge port. A proximal housing is coupled to a proximal partof the elongated shaft. A tissue specimen collector is configured forengagement with the proximal housing along a longitudinal extent of theelongated tissue cutting member. The tissue specimen collector issecured to the proximal housing. The tissue specimen collector includesa collector housing defining an interior, and having a proximal openingand a distal port opposite the proximal opening. The distal port of thecollector housing is configured to receive a proximal end of the tubularelongated member of the biopsy probe such that the proximal end of thetubular elongated member can extend into the interior of the collectorhousing. A releasable tray is releasably attached to the collectorhousing at the proximal opening. The releasable tray includes a firstend portion and a grated portion that extends from the first endportion. The grated portion is configured to extend through the proximalopening of the collector housing in a direction toward the distal portand into the interior to separate the collector housing to define atissue chamber and a vacuum chamber, such that a tissue discharge portof the tubular elongated member is able to be positioned in the tissuechamber above the grated portion. The grated portion has a plurality ofholes to facilitate fluid communication between the tissue chamber andthe vacuum chamber.

These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparentfrom the following detailed description of the invention and theaccompanying exemplary drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a biopsy system having a tissue specimencollector with flush and aspiration that embodies features of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the elongated tissue biopsysystem shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in anassembled condition without a cover for the probe component.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the tissue biopsy system shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 4A is a transverse cross-sectional view of the probe componenttaken along the lines 4A-4A shown in FIG. 4

FIG. 5A is a perspective view, with exterior portions partially inphantom, of a tissue collector shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along lines 5B-5Bshown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the tissue receiving tray shown in FIG.5A.

FIG. 5D is an exploded perspective view of tissue collector shown inFIG. 5A.

FIG. 5E is an end view in perspective of the tissue collector shown inFIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view, with exterior portions partially inphantom, of a modified tissue collector.

FIG. 6B is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along lines 6B-6Bshown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a transverse cross-sectional view of the tissue receivingtray shown in FIG. 6B taken along the lines 6C-6C.

FIG. 6D is an end view of the tissue collector shown in FIG. 6B takenalong the lines 6D-6D.

FIG. 6E is a transverse cross-sectional view of the tissue collectorshown in FIG. 6B taken along the lines 6E-6E.

FIG. 6F is an exploded perspective view of tissue collector shown inFIG. 6A.

FIG. 6G is an end view in perspective of the tissue collector shown inFIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a biopsy system 10 embodying featuresof the invention. The system 10 includes a probe component 11 with anelongated tubular section 12, a proximal housing 13 and a tissuespecimen collector 14 attached to the proximal housing with respect to alongitudinal axis L. A first conduit 15 extends from fluid source 16 tothe proximal end of the tissue collector 14 to deliver fluid to tissuespecimens in the interior of the collector. A valve 17 is provided tocontrol the fluid flow through the first conduit 15. A second conduit 18extends to the tissue specimen collector 14 for application of a vacuumto the interior of the tissue specimen collector to aspirate fluidapplied to one or more severed tissue specimens within the specimencollector. The second conduit 18 directs the aspirated fluid and debristo waste container 20. A third conduit 21 extends from the wastecontainer 20 to a vacuum pump 22 which provides vacuum to the wastecontainer and ultimately to the interior of the tissue specimencollector 14. The operation of the valve 17 in the fluid deliveryconduit 15 and the vacuum pump 22 connected to the third conduit 21 maybe controlled by controller 23.

FIGS. 2-5A-E illustrate the biopsy device 24 of the system 10 in furtherdetail. The probe component 11 generally includes an elongated tubularsection or cannula 12 with a tissue penetrating tip 25 on the distal endthereof and an open, tissue receiving aperture 26 proximally adjacent tothe distal tip. The probe component 11 also includes a proximal housing13 which contains the driving mechanisms for the various elements of theprobe component. Probe housing cover 27 is configured to interfit withthe driver component 28 so as to enclose the proximal housing 13 of theprobe component 11. A tissue cutter 30 is slidably disposed within theprobe component 11 and has a distal cutting edge 31 which severs tissuethat extends through the tissue receiving aperture 26. An inner lumen 32extends through the tissue cutter 30 to the tissue discharge port 33 ina proximal portion of the tissue cutter which discharges tissue specimeninto the interior 34 of the tissue collector 14. The tissue dischargeport 33 is preferably located at the proximal end of the tissue cutter30.

The details of driver component 28 and the interaction between thedriver component and the probe component 11 can be found in the abovementioned application Ser. No. 11/014,413.

The tissue specimen collector 14 (shown in more detail in FIGS. 5A-5E)is secured to the proximal end of the housing 13 of probe component 11and has an interior 34 in fluid communication with the inner lumen 32 ofthe tissue cutter 30 through tissue discharge port 33. The tissuespecimen collector 14 includes a collector housing 14-1 that has aproximal opening 14-2 and a distal port 14-3 opposite the proximalopening 14-2. The distal port 14-3 of the collector housing 14-1 isconfigured to receive the proximal end (i.e., tissue discharge port 33)of the tissue cutter 30. The interior 34 of the specimen collector 14has a specimen receiving basket or tray 35, preferably removable, whichis configured to receive tissue specimens from the discharge port 33which may have been drawn therein. The releasable tray 35 is releasablyattached to the collector housing 14-1 at the proximal opening 14-2.

The tray 35 may have a grated portion 36 (or foraminous or is otherwiseprovided with a plurality of openings) to provide fluid communicationwith the vacuum chamber 37 provided under the tray. Tray 35 has an endportion 35-1 from which the grated portion 36 longitudinally extends.The grated portion 36 is configured to extend through the proximalopening 14-2 of the collector housing 14-1 in a direction toward thedistal port 14-3 and into the interior 34 to separate the collectorhousing 14-1 to define a tissue chamber 14-4 and a vacuum chamber 14-5.

A vacuum is generated within the interior 34 by the vacuum within thevacuum chamber 37 to draw tissue specimens through the inner lumen 32 ofthe cutter 30 into the interior 34 of the tissue collector 14. The firstvacuum conduit 18 has a distal end which is in fluid communication withthe vacuum chamber 36 and has a proximal end which is configured to beconnected to a waste container 20. Alternatively, the first vacuumconduit 15 may be directly connected to a vacuum source such as vacuumpump 22.

Application of a vacuum within the tubular section 12 aids in pullingtissue into the interior thereof through the tissue receiving aperture26 and the transfer of the severed tissue specimen through the innerlumen 32 of the tissue cutter 30 and the deployment of the specimen ontothe collection tray 35 within the tissue collector 14. Preferably, thevacuum is applied under the tray 35 in vacuum chamber 37 to facilitateremoval of fluid and/or debris from the one or more specimens that maybe on the upper surface of tray 35.

Fluid delivery conduit 15 has a spray head 38 which discharges into theinterior 34 over the tray 35 so as to spray fluid onto one or morespecimens located on the tray. The low pressures in the vacuum chamber37 under the tray 35 aspirates fluid and debris through the openings ofgrated portion 36 of the tray. Fluids include blood from the specimenand fluids injected or sprayed into the chamber 34 of the tissuecollector 14 through the spray head 38. The size of the debris aspiratedinto the vacuum chamber is limited for the most part by the size of theopenings in grated portion 36. Preferably, the delivery of flushingfluid to the chamber 34 is controlled to sequence after aspiration ofone or more tissue specimens onto the tray 35. Saline is a suitablefluid, but other fluids may be used. A variety of agents, such asthrombolytic agents, e.g heparin, may be incorporated into the fluid tobreak up thrombus which may have formed on the specimen. Treatmentfluids may also be employed for the subsequent examination of the one ormore specimens.

The tissue penetrating distal tip 25 may have a variety of tip shapes.Particularly suitable distal tips are disclosed in the above mentionedapplication Ser. No. 11/014,413.

In use, the distal end of the probe component 11 is advanced within thepatient with the tissue cutter 30 in a forward position to close off thetissue receiving aperture 26 of the tubular section 12 until theaperture is located in a desired location within the patient for takinga tissue specimen. The tissue cutter 30 is then withdrawn proximally toan open position to open up the aperture 26. The withdrawal of thetissue cutter 30 can be used to control the length of the aperture whichis opened in order to control the length of the specimen which is drawninto the interior of the tubular section 12 and severed from supportingtissue. A vacuum is applied to the inner lumen 32 of the tissue cutter30 through the interior 34 of the tissue collector 14 to draw tissue atthe site into the inner lumen of the tubular section 12 through theaperture 26. The tissue cutter 30 is then driven distally and rotated oroscillated to sever the aspirated tissue specimen from the supportingtissue at the target site with the tissue cutting edge 31. The vacuumwithin the inner lumen 32 of the tissue cutter 30 aids or causes thesevered tissue specimen to be drawn through the inner lumen of thetissue cutter and into the interior 34 of specimen collector 14.Positive pressure or even ambient conditions distal to the tissuespecimen in the lumen 32 can help tissue specimen passage through theinner lumen to the discharge port 33 of the tissue cutter 30. If anothertissue specimen is desired, the tubular section 12 may be rotated in oneor more steps to move the aperture 26 to another location and repeatobtaining another tissue specimen in the same manner without otherwisemoving the biopsy device 24. Typically, tissue specimens are obtainedsequentially with the aperture 26 of the probe 11 in the 12, 2, 4, 6, 8,10 o-clock positions and then in the 1 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 o-clockpositions. Other sequences for obtaining tissue specimens may beemployed. The position of the aperture 26 may be indicated by a markerarrow 39 at the distal end cap 40 (FIG. 2) of proximal housing 13 sothat the physician or other operating personnel can readily determinewhat the orientation of the aperture 26 within the patient. The biopsysystem 10 may be hand held for some biopsy procedures or the system maybe mounted on a stereotactic mounting stage such as a shoe that isslidably mounted to a rail of a Fischer or Lorad stage as discussed inthe above mentioned application Ser. No. 11/014,413.

Fluid from a source 16 may be delivered through first conduit 15 to theinterior 34 of tissue collector 14 and sprayed onto the one or morespecimens on the grated portion of the tray 35. Vacuum generated in thevacuum chamber 36 under the tray 35 aspirates fluid and smalldimensioned debris through the grated openings of the tray into thevacuum chamber 37. Fluid and debris are aspirated from vacuum chamber 36through second conduit 18 into the waste container 20. Third conduit 21maintains vacuum conditions in the interior of waste container 20 by thevacuum pump 22.

An alternative tissue specimen collector 114 is shown in detail in FIGS.6A-6G) which is secured to the proximal end of the housing 13 of probecomponent 11 and has an interior 134 in fluid communication with theinner lumen 32 of the tissue cutter 30 through tissue discharge port 33.The tissue specimen collector 114 includes a collector housing 114-1that has a proximal opening 114-2 and a distal port 114-3 opposite theproximal opening 114-2. The distal port 114-3 of the collector housing114-1 is configured to receive the proximal end (i.e., tissue dischargeport 33) of the tissue cutter 30. The interior 134 of the specimencollector 114 has a specimen receiving basket or tray 135, preferablyremovable, which is configured to receive tissue specimens from thedischarge port 33 which may have been drawn therein. The releasable tray135 is releasably attached to the collector housing 114-1 at theproximal opening 114-2.

The tray 135 has a grated portion 136 (or foraminous or is otherwiseprovided with a plurality of openings) to provide fluid communicationwith the vacuum chamber 137 provided under the tray. Tray 135 has an endportion 135-1 from which the grated portion 136 longitudinally extends.The grated portion 136 is configured to extend through the proximalopening 114-2 of the collector housing 114-1 in a direction toward thedistal port 114-3 and into the interior 134 to separate the collectorhousing 114-1 to define a tissue chamber 114-4 and a vacuum chamber114-5.

A vacuum is generated within the interior 134 by the vacuum within thevacuum chamber 137 to draw tissue specimens through the inner lumen 32of the cutter 30 into the interior 134 of the tissue collector 114. Thevacuum conduit 118 has a distal end which is in fluid communication withthe vacuum chamber 137 and has a proximal end which is configured to beconnected to a waste container 20. Alternatively, the vacuum conduit 118may be directly connected to a vacuum source such as vacuum pump 22 asshown in FIG. 1.

Fluid delivery conduit 115 has a spray head 138 which discharges intothe interior 134 over the tray 135 so as to spray fluid onto one or morespecimens located on the tray. The low pressures in the vacuum chamber137 under the tray 135 aspirates fluid and debris through the openingsof grated portion 136 of the tray. Fluids include blood from thespecimen and fluids injected or sprayed into the chamber 134 of thetissue collector 114 through the spray head 138, shown in detail inFIGS. 6B and 6C. The size of the debris aspirated into the vacuumchamber is limited for the most part by the size of the openings ingrated portion 136. Preferably, the delivery of flushing fluid to thechamber 134 is controlled to sequence after aspiration of one or moretissue specimens onto the tray 135.

While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, it will be apparent that various modifications andimprovements can be made to the invention. For example, while thevarious embodiments of the invention have been described herein in termsof a biopsy device, it should be apparent that the tissue collector maybe employed to remove tissue for purposes other than for biopsy, i.e.for treatment or other diagnoses. Alternatively, the tissue cuttingelement may be on the exterior of the probe device and the tubularcomponent having the tissue receiving opening in the distal end may bedisposed within the tissue cutting element. In the latter alternativeembodiment, the tissue specimen may be transported through the tubularcomponent having the tissue receiving opening.

Individual features of embodiments having features of the invention maybe shown in some drawings and not in others, but those skilled in theart will recognize that individual features of one embodiment can becombined with any or all the features of another embodiment.Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited to thespecific embodiments illustrated.

Terms such a “element”, “member”, “device”, “section”, “component”,“portion”, “means”, “step” and words of similar import, when used in thefollowing claims, shall not be construed as invoking the provisions of35 U.S.C. §112(6) unless the claims expressly use the term “means”followed by a particular function without specific structure or the term“step” or “steps” followed by a particular function without specificaction.

All patents and patent applications referred to herein are incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

1. A tissue specimen collector for engagement with a proximal housing ofa biopsy probe along a longitudinal extent of a tubular elongated memberof the biopsy probe configured to transport a tissue sample, comprising:a collector housing defining an interior, and having a proximal openingand a distal port opposite the proximal opening, the distal port of thecollector housing being configured to receive a proximal end of thetubular elongated member of the biopsy probe such that the proximal endof the tubular elongated member can extend into the interior of thecollector housing; and a releasable tray that is releasably attached tothe collector housing at the proximal opening, the releasable trayincluding: a first end portion; and a grated portion that extends fromthe first end portion, the grated portion being configured to extendthrough the proximal opening of the collector housing in a directiontoward the distal port and into the interior to separate the collectorhousing to define a tissue chamber and a vacuum chamber, such that atissue discharge port of the tubular elongated member is able to bepositioned in the tissue chamber above the grated portion, the gratedportion having a plurality of holes to facilitate fluid communicationbetween the tissue chamber and the vacuum chamber.
 2. The tissuespecimen collector of claim 1, wherein the releasable tray comprises awashing port extending to the interior of the collector housing, thewashing port being in direct fluid communication with the tissuechamber, and the washing port being configured for fluid communicationwith a washing fluid source.
 3. The tissue specimen collector of claim2, wherein the washing port includes a spray head coupled to a fluidconduit, the spray head being located over the grated portion.
 4. Thetissue specimen collector of claim 2, wherein the releasable traycomprises a vacuum port extending to the interior of the collectorhousing, the vacuum port being in direct fluid communication with thevacuum chamber with the grated portion being interposed between thewashing port and the vacuum port, the vacuum port being configured forfluid communication with a vacuum source.
 5. The tissue specimencollector of claim 1, wherein the releasable tray having the gratedportion is configured to be removably received in the interior of thecollector housing along the longitudinal extent of the tubular elongatedmember with the tissue discharge port of the tubular elongated memberextending over the grated portion.
 6. The tissue specimen collector ofclaim 1, wherein the releasable tray having the grated portion isconfigured to be removably received in the interior of the collectorhousing along the longitudinal extent of the tubular elongated member.7. The tissue specimen collector of claim 1, wherein the tubularelongated member is an elongated tissue cutting member.
 8. The tissuespecimen collector of claim 1, wherein the grated portion extendslongitudinally from the first end portion, the first end portion of thereleasable tray including a washing port and a vacuum port with thegrated portion being interposed between the washing port and the vacuumport.
 9. An elongated probe component for use in a system for collectingone or more tissue specimens from a target site within a patient, thesystem including a washing fluid source and a vacuum source, theelongated probe component comprising: an elongated shaft having a distalshaft portion with a distal tip, a tubular section proximal to thedistal tip, an inner lumen extending within the tubular section and atissue receiving aperture in the tubular section which provides accessto tissue at the target site, and a tubular elongated member disposedwithin the tubular section, the tubular elongated member having a distalend and a proximal end, the distal end having at least one tissuecutting edge and the proximal end defining a tissue discharge port; aproximal housing coupled to a proximal part of the elongated shaft; anda tissue specimen collector configured for engagement with the proximalhousing along a longitudinal extent of the elongated tissue cuttingmember, the tissue specimen collector being secured to the proximalhousing, the tissue specimen collector including: a collector housingdefining an interior, and having a proximal opening and a distal portopposite the proximal opening, the distal port of the collector housingbeing configured to receive a proximal end of the tubular elongatedmember of the biopsy probe such that the proximal end of the tubularelongated member can extend into the interior of the collector housing;and a releasable tray is releasably attached to the collector housing atthe proximal opening, the releasable tray including: a first endportion; and a grated portion that extends from the first end portion,the grated portion being configured to extend through the proximalopening of the collector housing in a direction toward the distal portand into the interior to separate the collector housing to define atissue chamber and a vacuum chamber, such that a tissue discharge portof the tubular elongated member is able to be positioned in the tissuechamber above the grated portion, the grated portion having a pluralityof holes to facilitate fluid communication between the tissue chamberand the vacuum chamber.
 10. The elongated probe component of claim 9,wherein the releasable tray comprises a washing port extending to theinterior of the collector housing, the washing port being in directfluid communication with the tissue chamber, and the washing port beingconfigured for fluid communication with the washing fluid source. 11.The elongated probe component of claim 10, wherein the washing portincludes a spray head coupled to a fluid conduit, the spray head beinglocated over the grated portion.
 12. The elongated probe component ofclaim 10, wherein the releasable tray comprises a vacuum port extendingto the interior of the collector housing, the vacuum port being indirect fluid communication with the vacuum chamber with the gratedportion being interposed between the washing port and the vacuum port,the vacuum port being configured for fluid communication with the vacuumsource.
 13. The elongated probe component of claim 9, wherein thereleasable tray having the grated portion is configured to be removablyreceived in the interior of the collector housing along the longitudinalextent of the tubular elongated member with the tissue discharge port ofthe tubular elongated member extending over the grated portion.
 14. Theelongated probe component of claim 9, wherein the releasable tray havingthe grated portion is configured to be removably received in theinterior of the collector housing along the longitudinal extent of thetubular elongated member.
 15. The elongated probe component of claim 9,wherein the tubular elongated member is elongated tissue cutting member.16. The elongated probe component of claim 9, wherein the grated portionextends longitudinally from the first end portion, the first end portionof the releasable tray including a washing port and a vacuum port withthe grated portion being interposed between the washing port and thevacuum port.